Footbath with seating unit that is movable between a stored position and a use position

ABSTRACT

A footbath ( 110 ) comprises a bath body ( 112 ) defining a receptacle in which a foot can be washed the bath body and a seating unit ( 116 ). The bath body is configured for fixed installation in connection with a supply of running water. The seating unit is movable relative to the bath body between a stored position in which the seating unit is at least partially disposed over the bath body and a use position in which the seating unit is retracted from the stored position.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/GB2010/000740 filed Apr. 9, 2010, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to footbaths and particularly, but not exclusively, to footbaths suitable for washing the feet in accordance with religious practices.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

A known footbath 10 for use in washing the feet in accordance with religious practices is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The footbath 10 is a ceramics casting, or moulding, that defines a receptacle 12 in which the foot washing can take place and a seat 14 on which the person sits while washing their feet. A wall 16 of the footbath 10, which partially defines the receptacle 12 and is disposed opposite the seat 14, is provided with a hole 18 for receiving the inlet end of a tap (not shown). In use, the footbath 10 would typically be sited with the wall 16 butting against a wall of a building or the like so that pipe work feeding the tap is hidden. A drain hole 20 for receiving a standard drain fitting is provided at a low point in the receptacle 12 to facilitate connection to a drainpipe (not shown). A pair of footrests 22 is defined on the wall 16, one to each side of the drain hole 20. Users may rest one foot on a footrest 22 while washing the other foot.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A footbath includes a bath body defining a receptacle in which a foot can be washed and a seating unit, the bath body being configured for fixed installation in connection with a supply of running water and the seating unit being movable relative to the fixed bath body between a stored position in which said seating unit is at least partially disposed over said bath body and a use position in which said seating unit is retracted from said stored position.

A footbath includes a bath body defining a receptacle in which a foot can be washed and a movable seating unit, said bath body being configured for fixed installation in connection with a supply of running water and having a footprint, at least a portion of said seating unit being disposed within said footprint when in a stored position and said seating unit being movable from said stored position to a use position in which less or none of the seating portion is within said footprint.

A footbath includes a bath body defining a receptacle in which a foot can be washed and a movable seating unit, said bath body being configured for fixed installation in connection with a supply of running water and having a footprint, at least a portion of said seating unit being disposed within said footprint when in a stored position and said seating unit being movable from said stored position to a use position in which less or none of the seating portion is within said footprint.

A footbath includes a bath body having a receptacle in which a foot can be washed and a seating unit, the bath body being fixed in position and connected with a supply of running water and having at least one tap for controlling supply of said running water into the bath body and the seating unit being movable from a stored position in which in plan the bath body and seating unit have a first area and a use position in which in plan the bath body and seating unit have a second area, said second area being greater than said first area.

A footbath includes a bath body having a bottom wall, a generally upright wall for positioning against an upright wall of a premises and a generally U-shaped wall connected with said upright wall so as to enclose said bottom wall, said bath body having a drainage aperture defined in said base ball and a mounting aperture for a tap for controlling a supply of running water to said bath body and being provided with external recessing, said external recessing comprising two oppositely disposed recesses extending through a rim of said U-shaped wall and two oppositely disposed elongate channels defined by a basal portion of said U-shaped wall; and a seating unit comprising a seat portion and a seat support portion, said seating unit being movable between a stored position in which said seat portion is disposed over said base wall and a use position in which said seat portion is disposed at least partially outwardly of said bath body and said seat support portion comprising elongate members defining respective feet that can move in said elongate channels and respective legs extending upwardly of said feet and having portions that can pass through said recesses when said seating unit is moved between said stored and use positions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the invention may be well understood, an embodiment thereof, which is given by way of example only, will now be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art footbath looking from the front end and above.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the footbath of FIG. 1 looking from the rear end and above.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a footbath according to the disclosure showing a seating unit thereof in a stored position.

FIG. 4 is a view corresponding to FIG. 3 showing the seating unit in a use position.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the footbath of FIG. 3 with the seating unit in the stored position.

FIG. 6 is a view corresponding to FIG. 5 showing the seating unit in the use position.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing the footbath installed adjacent an upright wall of a premises.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 3 to 6 a footbath 110 comprises a bath body 112 that defines a receptacle 114 in which foot washing can take place and a seating unit 116. The bath body 112 is a ceramics moulding comprising a front wall 118 and a generally U-shaped wall comprising a rear wall 120 and side walls 122, 124 that extend between the front wall and rear wall. The front wall 118, rear wall 120 and sidewalls 122, 124 bound a bottom wall 126 to define the receptacle 114. The front wall 118 is taller than the rear wall 120 (in this embodiment approximately twice as tall) and the sidewalls 122 are a lazy L-shape. The rear wall 120 is arcuate so that the rear end of the bath body 112 is curved. The front wall 118 is hollow to define a cavity similar to that visible in the known footbath shown in FIG. 1 and has a planar edge so that it can be butted up against a wall or the like in a building.

The front wall 118 has a centrally disposed boss 124 disposed at the upper end thereof. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the boss 124 is provided with a through hole 127 for receiving the inlet end of a mixer tap 128 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The pipe work (not shown) feeding the mixer tape 128 can be received in the cavity defined by the front wall 118 so that it can be hidden between the footbath 110 and a wall or the like of a building against which the front wall is butted. The bottom wall 126 is dished and has a drain hole 129 (FIG. 6) provided at the lowest point thereof. The drain hole 129 is sized to receive a standard drain fitting 130 (FIG. 4) that can be connected to a drainpipe (not shown).

The seating unit 116 comprises a generally circular seat 132 and a support frame 134 for the seat. The support frame 134 is an elongate tubular member that is bent to form a pair of feet 136, respective legs 138 extending upwardly from the feet and a curved seat support 140 extending between the legs. The feet 136 are elongate members disposed in opposed parallel spaced apart relation. The legs 138 each comprise a first generally U-shaped portion that extends transversely rearwardly with respect to the front wall 118 and axially inwardly with respect to the longitudinal axis of the bath body 112 from an end of the respective foot 136. The legs 138 each further comprise a second generally U-shaped portion that extends from the end of the first U-shaped portion remote from the foot 136. The second generally U-shaped portions connect to the seat support 140 and extend forwardly of the first generally U-shaped portion and axially inwardly with respect to the longitudinal axis of the bath body 112 in the direction towards the front wall 118. As described in more detail below, the support frame 134 is contoured to wrap around the bath body when the seating unit 116 is in a stored position so that the space occupied by the seating unit 116 is minimized.

As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the bath body 112 is provided with recessing in the form of respective recesses 142 for receiving the feet 136 of the seating unit support frame 134 such that when the seating unit is moved between stored and use positions, the feet 136 are able to move in the recesses 142. In this embodiment the recesses 142 comprise elongate grooves defined by the sidewalls 122, 124 at a basal edge of the bath body. The bath body 112 is provided with additional recessing in the form of respective recesses 144 formed in an uppermost edge, or rim, of the rear wall 120 in a the positions at which it merges with the sidewalls 122, 124. The recesses 144 are configured and positioned to receive the second generally U-shaped portions of the seating unit support frame 134 as the seating unit moves between it stored and use positions.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, when the seating unit 116 is in its stored position, the seat 132 is disposed completely over the receptacle 114 and the support frame 134 is wrapped around the bath body 112. The arrangement is such that the seat 132 is disposed within the footprint of the bath body 112 and the support frame 134 is partially disposed within the footprint of the bath body. Those portions of the support frame 134 that are not within the footprint of the bath body 112 are configured to extend along the perimeter of the footprint of the bath body 112. Accordingly, when the seating unit 116 is in the stored position, the space taken by the footbath 110 is minimized and the seating unit 116 occupies substantially the same floor space as the bath body 112.

FIG. 7 shows the footbath 110 installed in, for example, a bathroom of a domestic premises. The bath body 112 is firmly seated on the floor 160 with the front wall 118 lying flush against an upright wall 162 of the premises. A sealant, such as a silicone sealant may be applied around the bath body 112 to prevent water from seeping between the bath body and floor 160 and/or bath body and wall 162. Although not shown the bath body 112 may be configured to allow it to be secured to the floor and/or wall by means of screws or the like. The mixer tap 128 is connected to a cold water pipe 164 and a hot water pipe 166 to allow a constant supply of running water to be supplied into the bath body 112. A waste pipe 168 is connected to the drain fitting 130 so that used water can drain from the bath body 112.

When a user wishes to wash their feet, the seating unit 116 can be slid back from the bath body 112 in a direction away from the front wall 118 so that the user can sit on the seat 132 with their feet placed in front of them in the receptacle 114. One use position of the seating unit 116 is shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. When in its use positions, the seat 132 may be disposed over the rear wall 120 of the bath body or positioned such that it is not disposed over any part of the bath body 112. The position to which the seating unit is moved can be selected to suit the comfort of the user and is likely to depend, at least in part, on the height of the user.

When the user has finished washing their feet, the seating unit 116 can be readily returned to the stored position by sliding the seating unit forwards towards the front wall 118 of the bath body 112. As the seating unit 116 moves forwards to the stored position, portions of the support frame 134 move through the recessing 142, 144 so that the seating unit does not have to be lifted or otherwise manipulated to move it between its stored and use positions.

It will be appreciated that the arrangement of the bath body 112 and seating unit 116 is such that when not in use, the space occupied by the footbath 110 can be considerably reduced as compared with the known footbath shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. This makes the footbath suitable for residential use since in many residential situations, it will not be practical to use a footbath that permanently occupies the amount of space required by footbaths such as the known footbath show in FIGS. 1 and 2. Similarly, in the workplace the problem of finding space for a footbath is reduced making it easier for employers to provide a dedicated foot washing facility for those employees whose religious practices require washing of the feet before prayer.

In the embodiment, the seating unit does not fit entirely within the footprint of the bath body. It will be understood that the rear wall of the bath body could be provided with suitable recessing or otherwise configured to receive substantially all of the legs and similarly the sidewalls can be adapted to substantially completely receive the feet.

In the illustrated embodiment, the support frame of the seating unit is made of an elongate member bent to form feet, legs and a seat support. It will be understood that this is not essential and that the support frame could be made up of suitably joined members. It will also be appreciated that it is not essential for the support frame to comprise two legs. Instead there could be a single foot that is configured to extend around the basal region of the rear wall 120 and a single leg extending from a central region of the foot. Alternatively, a single foot as described might have multiple legs.

It will be understood that it is not essential for the seating unit to be slideable relative to the bath body. Instead, the seat may be pivotable or otherwise rotatable from a stored position to one or more use positions. For example, the seat may be directly rotatably connected to a seat support at the rear of the bath body, or supported on an arm that is rotatably connected to such a support.

The bath body 112 of the illustrated embodiment is described as being a ceramics moulding or casting. It will be understood that the bath body may be a plastics moulding, formed from a material such as marble or formed from a metal such as cast iron, steel, aluminium, copper or bronze. In the case of a cast iron bath body an enamel or similar such coating would be provided to protect against corrosion and provide an easy clean surface. Similarly unless made of stainless steel, a steel body would be coated, for example with enamel, or zinc plated to protect against corrosion.

In the illustrated embodiment, the footbath 110 is a single unit. It is anticipated that a footbath may comprise a bath body defining a plurality of receptacles or a single large receptacle suitable for multiple users and a movable seating unit having multiple seats.

In the illustrated embodiment the seating unit is free of the bath body and in principle can be removed from the bath body. It will be understood that the bath body may be configured, or provided with suitable restraints, to prevent such removal and allow only limited relative sliding movement of the seating unit.

It will be understood that the footbath of the invention is not limited to use in connection with foot washing for religious purposes and can be used for foot washing regardless of the purpose of the washing.

METHOD OF INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION

The footbath may be manufactured by casting and/or moulding of the bath body and fabrication of the seating unit by techniques including, but not limited to metal bending, joining, including welding. The invention can be installed in domestic and public premises, including workplaces, by connecting the bath body to a water supply and drainage system. 

1. A footbath comprising a bath body defining a receptacle in which a foot can be washed and a seating unit, the bath body being configured for fixed installation in connection with a supply of running water and the seating unit being movable relative to the fixed bath body between a stored position in which said seating unit is at least partially disposed over said bath body and a use position in which said seating unit is retracted from said stored position.
 2. A footbath as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bath body defines recessing for receiving a portion of said seating unit such that said seating unit can be moved from said stored position to said use position by a sliding movement of said seating unit in which said portion of said seating unit moves in said recessing.
 3. A footbath as claimed in claim 2, wherein said portion of said seating unit comprises a plurality of foot members disposed in opposed spaced apart relation and said recessing comprises respective recesses for said foot members.
 4. A footbath as claimed in claim 3, wherein said recesses for said foot members are elongate grooves extending along respective sides of said bath body at a basal edge thereof.
 5. A footbath as claimed in claim 2, wherein said bath body comprises a wall that partially defines said receptacle, said seating unit comprises at least one leg and said recessing comprises a leg receiving recess provided in said wall for the or each leg.
 6. A footbath as claimed in claim 5, wherein each leg receiving recess is disposed in a free edge of said wall.
 7. A footbath as claimed in claim 1, wherein said seating unit comprises a support frame, said frame being contoured to at least partially wrap around said bath body when the seating unit is in said stored position.
 8. A footbath as claimed in claim 7, wherein said support frame comprises an elongate member bent to define at least one foot member and at least one leg contiguous with said foot member.
 9. A footbath as claimed in claim 8 comprising a said leg that comprises a first portion that extends transversely of a said foot member in a first direction that is inclined with respect to a longitudinal axis of said bath body and a second portion connected with an end of said first portion that is remote from said foot member and extends transversely of said longitudinal axis in a direction generally opposite said first direction.
 10. A footbath as claimed in claim 9, wherein said first direction is generally away from a front end of said bath body and said second direction is generally towards said front end.
 11. A footbath as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bath body defines a cavity in which pipes of said supply of running water and/or a drainage system can be received such that said bath body can be installed against a wall of a premises with said pipes hidden between said wall and bath body.
 12. A footbath as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bath body is provided with a mounting aperture for mounting a tap to said bath body for controlling said supply of running water.
 13. A footbath comprising a bath body defining a receptacle in which a foot can be washed and a movable seating unit, said bath body being configured for fixed installation in connection with a supply of running water, and having a footprint, at least a portion of said seating unit being disposed within said footprint when in a stored position and said seating unit being movable from said stored position to a use position in which less or none of the seating portion is within said footprint.
 14. A footbath as claimed in claim 13, wherein said bath body defines a cavity in which pipes of said supply of running water and/or a drainage system can be received such that said bath body can be installed against a wall of a premises with said pipes hidden between said wall and bath body.
 15. A footbath as claimed in claim 13, wherein said bath body is provided with a mounting aperture for mounting a tap to said bath body for controlling said supply of running water.
 16. A footbath as claimed in claim 13, wherein said bath body comprises indents in which portions of said seating unit move when said seating unit is moved from said stored position to said use position.
 17. A footbath comprising a bath body defining a receptacle in which a foot can be washed and a seating unit that is slidable relative to the bath body between a stored position in which said seating unit is at least partially disposed over said bath body and a use position in which said seating unit is retracted from said stored position, said bath body being provided with recessing in which a seat support portion of said seating unit can move when the seating unit slides between said stored and use positions.
 18. A footbath installation comprising a bath body defining a receptacle in which a foot can be washed and a seating unit, the bath body being fixed in position and connected with a supply of running water and having at least one tap for controlling supply of said running water into the bath body and the seating unit being movable from a stored position in which in plan the bath body and seating unit have a first area and a use position in which in plan the bath body and seating unit have a second area, said second area being greater than said first area.
 19. A footbath installation as claimed in claim 18, wherein said bath body is contoured to receive portions of said seating unit when said seating unit is in said stored position.
 20. A footbath installation as claimed in claim 18, wherein said bath body is provided with at least one channel in which portions of said seating unit can move during movement of said seating unit between said stored and use positions.
 21. A footbath as claimed in claim 18, wherein said bath body is fixed in position adjacent an upright wall and defines a cavity in which pipes of said supply of running water and a drainage system are received such that said pipes are hidden between said wall and bath body.
 22. A footbath as claimed in-claim 18, comprising a said tap mounted in a mounting aperture defined by said bath body, said tap being operable to control said supply of running water.
 23. A footbath comprising: a bath body comprising a bottom wall, a generally upright wall for positioning against an upright wall of a premises and a generally U-shaped wall connected with said upright wall so as to enclose said bottom wall, said bath body having a drainage aperture defined in said base ball and a mounting aperture for a tap for controlling a supply of running water to said bath body and being provided with external recessing, said external recessing comprising two oppositely disposed recesses extending through a rim of said U-shaped wall and two oppositely disposed elongate channels defined by a basal portion of said U-shaped wall; and a seating unit comprising a seat portion and a seat support portion, said seating unit being movable between a stored position in which said seat portion is disposed over said base wall and a use position in which said seat portion is disposed at least partially outwardly of said bath body and said seat support portion comprising elongate members defining respective feet that can move in said elongate channels and respective legs extending upwardly of said feet and having portions that can pass through said recesses when said seating unit is moved between said stored and use positions.
 24. A footbath comprising: a bath body defining a receptacle in which a foot can be washed and configured for fixed installation in connection with a supply of running water; and a seating unit movable relative to the fixed bath body between a stored position in which said seating unit is at least partially disposed over said bath body and a use position in which said seating unit is retracted from said stored position, said seating unit comprising a support frame contoured to at least partially wrap around said bath body when the seating unit is in said stored position.
 25. A footbath as claimed in claim 24, wherein said support frame comprises a member that has a ground contacting portion and a portion that is non-vertical and extends over the bath body when the seating unit is in said stored position. 